England Draw First Blood in International Three Test Series

Don’t forget that the matches on November 29 and December 3 at Esher RFC will be available at to watch LIVE via www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive. 

November 29 England Women v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7.00pm UK 1.00pm CST, live at www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive
December 3 England Women v New Zealand, Esher RFC, 2.00pm UK , 8.00am CST, live at www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive

from Scrumqueens:

In the first of a three match test series between England and New Zealand, the home side came out on top at Twickenham, beating the reigning World Champions 10-0.

Similar to the game two years ago at this same venue, the hosts dominated a low-scoring game, and will now go into the second game at Esher on Tuesday night in confident mood. New Zealand will be pleased at their set-piece effort, showing well particularly in the scrum, but poor kicking and handling at times cost them their scoring chances and they will need to be much more clinical if they want to keep this series alive on Tuesday.

England had the best of the possession in the opening exchanges, but struggled to cross the gain line. Indeed the game had the feel of a season opener as neither side operated with precision; balls weren’t taken cleanly in the lineout, passes went forward, balls were knocked on and scrums were turned over.

However, captain Katy McLean kept England in the right half of the pitch making good ground kicking to touch as her side were awarded a number of penalties which they used to good effect. The first that was won inside New Zealand’s half came on 17 minutes and McLean opted for goal. She missed the shot but England were growing in confidence.

Awarded another penalty in the opposition’s half England this time went for touch. Rowena Burnfield took the ball securely from the line out throw and the home side were awarded another penalty from the resulting maul. Again England went for touch.

Burnfield was chosen as the target in the line out again and England picked and went around the fringe of the ruck until eventually they crossed the tryline, although the ball was held up. The Black Ferns got the better of the resulting 5m scrum and were able to clear their lines.

Uncharacteristic mistakes followed from New Zealand, who missed touch at a penalty, and following some aerial ping pong from both sides, then kicked the ball straight into touch offering England a lineout in a good position. From the quick ball, standout centre Emily Scarratt broke through the middle and off loaded to Maggie Alphonsi who sprinted diagonally across the pitch to score in the corner. McLean added the extras from out wide taking the score to 7-0.

Karina Penetito came on for hooker Fiao’o Faamausili with five minutes left of the first half, but New Zealand continued to have the advantage in the scrums. Whilst the Black Ferns had the majority of the territory in the closing minutes of the first half their handling let them down with too many passes failing to go to hand and England went into half time with a 7-0 advantage.

Just two minutes into the second half Alphonsi was penalised on the ten metre line and New Zealand choose to go for goal, but Rebecca Mahoney’s kick barely reached the 22.

England then lost Nollie Waterman to injury but McLean dropped a well struck goal to push England’s lead out to 10-0.

New Zealand came far more into the game at this point and looked far more threatening, particularly when a McLean clearance kick was picked up by Renee Wickliffe who made a great attack from nothing. It would have been a certain try, but for an excellent try saving tackle from Scarratt. The threat was relieved as England were awarded a penalty.

The pace accelerated in the second half as did the rate with which the personnel changed as the Black Ferns made four changes and England made five within the first twenty minutes – – both coaches using their chances to rotate their players ahead of test two in just three days time.

New Zealand’s Amanda Murphy, Victoria Grant, Emma Jensen and Eloise Blackwell were replaced by Aroha Savage, Hazel Tubi, Kendra Cocksedge and Rawina Everitt respectively.

England’s Kim Oliver, Victoria Fleetwood, La Toya Mason, Rochelle Clarke and Becky Essex were replaced by Kim Oliver, Amy Turner, Natasha Hunt, Laura Keates and Marlie Packer.

Whilst both teams attacked well during the second half England began to have more of the possession and territory with Michaela Staniford, Kay Wilson and Emily Scarratt all making decisive breaks. As the game went on the home side looked more and more in control, although they were unable to put enough phases together to score a second try.

New Zealand made further changes with Kathleen Wilton being replaced by Doris Taufateau and Rebecca Mahoney switching with Teresa Te Tamaki.

The best scoring chance for England came when they were awarded a penalty after a period of pressure, but Captain Katy McLean was unable to convert it. The home side made one last change with Alphonsi making way for young Alex Matthews with just two minutes left on the clock.

Play remained in the visitors half for the rest of the match but England wound down the game and the final score was 10-0.

It’s still all to play for as the two sides will regroup before another game in three days.